Meet our team
Our JOF Board
Our board is composed of committed volunteers with backgrounds in orthopedic clinical care, education, research, management, and nonprofit leadership.
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Kathleen A. Geier, DNP, FNP-C
Secretary Nurse Practitioner Dr. Kathleen A. Geier has over 40 years' experience as an orthopedic nurse. She is certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Orthopedic Nurse, with clinical experience in providing musculoskeletal care to patients of all ages and developmental stages. Dr. Geier specializes in assessing, diagnosing, and treating chronic and stable musculoskeletal conditions and minor fractures. She currently coordinates and co-teaches JOF's Orthopedic Primary Care course with Dr. AJ Benham, and is widely published in professional nursing literature. She is a founding partner of Jackson Orthopedic Foundation and has served on the Board of Directors since the organization's beginnings in 1998. |
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Justin Clark
Treasurer Principal and Co-Founder, Social Change Consulting Justin Clark is Principal and Co-Founder of Social Change Consulting in Oakland. He has over fifteen years of nonprofit experience, with expertise in online fundraising, email communication strategy, relationship management, and data management. Justin concentrates on using technology and data to help nonprofits reach more people with their mission and story. He began working with JOF as a consultant and is excited to now support the organization as a Board member. Justin is no stranger to orthopedic health issues due to his personal experience with Marfan syndrome. |
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Kate Raiford
Board Member Founder and CEO, Prenursing Smarter Kate Raiford is the founder and CEO of Prenursing Smarter, an online test prep program that helps aspiring nurses boost their entrance exam scores and take the next step in their healthcare careers. A lifelong advocate for science communication and educational access, Kate is passionate about making complex topics clear and supporting adult learners—especially those changing careers or balancing school with work and family. Kate began her career in science communication, working as a reporter in both print and radio and honing her skills in making complex topics accessible. She also worked as an EMT and has been a dedicated tutor since high school—an experience that shaped her entrepreneurial journey. Her passion for helping students, particularly adult learners pursuing nursing, led to the founding of Prenursing Smarter. Based in San Diego, Kate brings to JOF her expertise in online learning, her commitment to student success, and a unique perspective on the challenges facing today’s healthcare learners. She is excited to support JOF’s mission of improving musculoskeletal care through education. |
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Peter Slabaugh, MD
Medical Director Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Peter Slabaugh specializes in surgical and nonsurgical treatment of spinal disorders, including pediatric conditions, scoliosis, fractures, and back pain associated with arthritis and other spine conditions. He is a clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Highland Hospital’s Orthopedic Clinic and has extensive experience evaluating and treating fractures. A frequently sought-after speaker, Dr. Slabaugh has also authored and published many articles in professional journals. |
Our staff and collaborative partners
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Kathleen A. Geier, DNP, FNP-C
Director: Orthopedic Nursing Education AJ Benham, DNP, FNP-C Instructor, Curriculum Developer: Orthopedic Nursing Education Laura Balassone, RN MSN NP-C RNFA Instructor |
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Sheila Teker and Rachel Chen
Healthcare Immersion Program Coordinators Jacob Geier, M.Sc. Instructor & Healthcare Immersion Program Consultant Tom Wagner Administrative Director Tim Hart Marketing Consultant |
